Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 2:59, 62-63

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezra 2:59, 62-63
"And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could not shew their father’s house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim."

This was interesting. It wasn't a matter of the genealogies being kept or not. The issue was intermarriages with aliens, those without the faith. Those marriages were not recorded. This is how they lost their father's house. They were polluted and put from the priesthood. They needed to stand before a priest who with the Urim and Thummim would be able to determine what house they were from. When I think about how many generations removed from Abraham's family and the tribes of Israel we are, we have the same thing happening today. We go before a patriarch that will declare in our patriarchal blessing which tribe of Israel we belong to.

Day 3879

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 19:9, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: Numbers 19:9, 20
And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.
But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean."

I have been reflecting on this portion of the law of Moses for a while now. Today is the day that I look to find where it says the Jews or the children of Israel need to make an animal sacrifice again. There is much talk amongst the Jews and others that they need to sacrifice a red heifer and take of its ashes in water to purify themselves. The Lord has said the law of Moses was fulfilled and he will no longer accept of our burnt offerings. The law of Moses pointed to Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection fulfilled that law. First, I read what the laws of purification represented.

"Laws of Purification
Anciently, an Israelite who had been in the presence of one who died or had been dead was held to be defiled. This chapter in Numbers describes the way in which such a person was purified. First, a red heifer was slain, burned, and the ashes laid aside. Then the ashes were placed in pure water and the mixture sprinkled upon those who had been defiled. This was known as “the water of separation,” since by it one was separated, or purified, from sin (v. 9). Failure to avail oneself of the cleansing power in this way resulted in being “cut off from among the congregation” (v. 20).
Much vital symbolism can be found in this ordinance. One who defiles himself with sin undergoes a spiritual death and is cut off from God’s presence through the loss of the Holy Spirit. Recovery from spiritual death is obtained by faith in Christ’s Atonement (symbolized by the death of the red heifer), repentance from sin, baptism in water, receiving the Holy Ghost, and obedience to God’s commandments. All who thereafter commit certain serious sins and refuse to repent are likewise “cut off from among the congregation,” that is, excommunicated (v. 20).
(Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel, "Numbers 13-36: Wilderness Wanderings, Part 2")

Jesus Christ represented the red heifer. He atoned for our sins. Baptism by water, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and keeping His commandments are the requirement today.

Then I read where we are told the law of Moses would one day be fulfilled and had been.

"Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away."
(Alma 34:13)

"And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings."
(3 Nephi 9:19)

I believe there is confusion over the what type of offering is required now.

"And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not."
(3 Nephi 9:20)

This offering is further confused with the offering the sons of Levi are to make in righteousness in the latter-days. This is the question I have had, does it say anywhere that this offering is an animal sacrifice?

"Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."
(Doctrine and Covenants 13:1)

"Therefore, verily I say unto you, that your anointings, and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments, for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name."
(Doctrine and Covenants 124:39)

"Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation."
(Doctrine and Covenants 128:24)

The offering in righteousness is the work that we perform in the holy House of the Lord, with broken hearts and contrite spirits. When we are purified and prepared to receive our Lord.

"But who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap.
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years."
(3 Nephi 24:2-4)

"Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses—for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable offering and sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation, upon the consecrated spot as I have appointed—"
(Doctrine and Covenants 84:31)

Day 3791

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 6:2, 6

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 6:2, 6
"And I, Mormon, wrote an epistle unto the king of the Lamanites, and desired of him that he would grant unto us that we might gather together our people unto the land of Cumorah, by a hill which was called Cumorah, and there we could give them battle.
And it came to pass that when we had gathered in all our people in one to the land of Cumorah, behold I, Mormon, began to be old; and knowing it to be the last struggle of my people, and having been commanded of the Lord that I should not suffer the records which had been handed down by our fathers, which were sacred, to fall into the hands of the Lamanites, (for the Lamanites would destroy them) therefore I made this record out of the plates of Nephi, and hid up in the hill Cumorah all the records which had been entrusted to me by the hand of the Lord, save it were these few plates which I gave unto my son Moroni."

The thought occurred to me, "Why would Mormon gather his people to the land of Cumorah for this final battle?" Why did he hid up all the sacred records into the hill Cumorah? Was it his way of being in a sacred or holy place? This was also the place of the last battle of the Jaredites, then it was call the hill Ramah.

"And it came to pass that the army of Coriantumr did pitch their tents by the hill Ramah; and it was that same hill where my father Mormon did hide up the records unto the Lord, which were sacred."
(Ether 15:11)

"Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen."
(Doctrine and Covenants 87:8)

Day 3560

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 4:23

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 4:23
"And now I, Mormon, seeing that the Lamanites were about to overthrow the land, therefore I did go to the hill Shim, and did take up all the records which Ammaron had hid up unto the Lord."

With all that is going on this was the most important thing Mormon could do, preserve the sacred records. These records would save souls. This reminded me of something President Nelson said in this last general conference.

"Brothers and sisters, now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority. In a world filled with dizzying distractions, how can we do this?
Regular worship in the temple will help us."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again", Oct 2024 General Conference)

What is my highest priority? Is it temple worship? This question made me look at the project I just started. This week a memory of what started my obsession with family history came to me. I was a young child and whenever my siblings became to much, or I would get in trouble with my mother, I would go to the family cemeteries on either side of our home for solace and comfort. I found peace amongst the tombstones of my ancestors. I knew they were there for me and loved me. I started to bring a notebook and would write down their names and dates. I tried to figure out who was related to who and how I was related to them. I wish I still had that notebook. After reflecting on this I decided I would pick up the quest started over half a century ago. I am going through the cemetery transcriptions available online and piecing everyone in these old cemeteries together. I have already found two children that were never sealed to their parents. People that have been forgot over time. As I work on this there is so much peace that surrounds me. This is why in these latter-days the Lord has given us a charge of something so precious, that will strengthen us and save souls, and not overwhelm us by the evil the surrounds us.

Day 3558

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 1:4

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 1:4
"And behold, ye shall take the plates of Nephi unto yourself, and the remainder shall ye leave in the place where they are; and ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people."

Ammaron has all the sacred records and hid them up to the Lord in the hill called Shim, in the land of Antum. When Mormon was ten years old Ammaron gives him this charge that when he is 24 years old he is to go to where the records are deposited and only take the plates of Nephi. He is to record what he has observed of this people. I pondered on how this mission over time changed for Mormon, for eventually Mormon made an abridgement of the records. The Lord will give us instructions line upon line, here a little and there a little. It would have been to overwhelming a task to tell a ten year old boy that he was not only to record what he observed, but to also abridge the records stored in the hill called Shim. Mormon was inspired on what he was to include.

"And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.
And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass—
Wherefore, I chose these things, to finish my record upon them, which remainder of my record I shall take from the plates of Nephi; and I cannot write the hundredth part of the things of my people.
But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren.
And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will."
(Words of Mormon 1: 3-7

"And also that a knowledge of these things must come unto the remnant of these people, and also unto the Gentiles, who the Lord hath said should scatter this people, and this people should be counted as naught among them—therefore I write a small abridgment, daring not to give a full account of the things which I have seen, because of the commandment which I have received, and also that ye might not have too great sorrow because of the wickedness of this people."
(Mormon 5:9)

Day 3555

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 16:4

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 16:4
"And I command you that ye shall write these sayings after I am gone, that if it so be that my people at Jerusalem, they who have seen me and been with me in my ministry, do not ask the Father in my name, that they may receive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost, and also of the other tribes whom they know not of, that these sayings which ye shall write shall be kept and shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fulness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their seed, who shall be scattered forth upon the face of the earth because of their unbelief, may be brought in, or may be brought to a knowledge of me, their Redeemer.
And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth; and then will I fulfil the covenant which the Father hath made unto all the people of the house of Israel."

This literally happened with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of Christ's church in these latter-days. The gathering from the four quarters of the earth is happening right now. People are being brought to a knowledge of their Redeemer. I cannot wait to read all the records.

"For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.
And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.
And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my people, who are of the house of Israel, that I am God, and that I covenanted with Abraham that I would remember his seed forever."
(2 Nephi 29:12-14)

Day 3539

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 5:8

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 5:8
"And there had many things transpired which, in the eyes of some, would be great and marvelous; nevertheless, they cannot all be written in this book; yea, this book cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done among so many people in the space of twenty and five years;"

How I wish I could read all those marvelous things that transpired in those 25 years. This made me think about the message President Jeffrey R. Holland gave and the hope of one day reading them. Until then we appreciate and read what we do have.

"I'm glad to be back talking to you out of the scriptures. I'm going to share my personal study with you from time to time, as I have in the past.
And I was reading 3 Nephi 5, and I was taken with these verses:
"And there had many things transpired which, in the eyes of some, would be great and marvelous; nevertheless, they cannot all be written in this book yea, this book cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done among so many people in the space of twenty and five years; But behold there are records which do contain all the proceedings of this people."
Another verse: That's verse 8. Here's 18:
"I know the record which I make to be a just and true record; nevertheless there are many things which, according to our language, we are not able to write."
Here's a third. I'm going to go back to read this - Alma 26:
"Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice for our joy is full. And who can glory too much in the Lord? Who can say too much?"
I got a lot to say here.
"Who can say too much of his great power; and his great mercy; and his long-suffering. Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."
That's a third problem.
You've got just bulk history. We get 100th part. You've got language, which is some kind of script or inability to get all the story down. And you've got feelings. I can't get the feelings out. They're too powerful. They mean too much to me. They're ineffable. I can't write them. I cannot say the smallest part of which I feel. And that's how I feel about the Book of Mormon. I can't say the smallest part to you about what I feel.
And I look forward with great anticipation to other records and other parts. Hundred - may 100 times as much that is contained in - that is contained in the book we have. If that much is available out there, the least we can do, the least we can do is read the book that we've got, because there's a lot of other good stuff coming.
I love you. Bye, bye"
(Jeffrey R. Holland, Facebook post 28 Apr 2024, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1166381477883157)

Day 3528

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 22:13-14

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 22:13-14
"And after being many days in the wilderness they arrived in the land of Zarahemla, and joined Mosiah’s people, and became his subjects.
And it came to pass that Mosiah received them with joy; and he also received their records, and also the records which had been found by the people of Limhi."

Through inspiration king Limhi and his people were able to safely take their women and children, flocks and herds, and precious things and flee from bondage. They left while the Lamanite guards were drunken and fast asleep. It was a journey of repentance and humbling themselves before they knew what to do. I pondered on how important the records were that they brought to Mosiah. It was not only their story but also of a people whose civilization was entirely wiped out. There are lessons to be learned from both.

Day 3437

Today's Favorite Verse: Words of Mormon 1:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Words of Mormon 1:3
"And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi."

I pondered on Mormon spending so much time and effort to abridge the plates of Nephi and then he finds these other plates of Nephi that cover the same time period. Yes, I know he includes them for a wise purpose that he doesn't at that time understand.

"But behold, I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me; and I know they will be choice unto my brethren.
And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will."
(Words of Mormon 1:6-7)

I can't help but wonder if he felt in part that his earlier efforts were for nothing? When I've had to repeat or redo things it feels like such a waste of time. Why couldn't I have just done it right the first time? I pondered on what you learn along the way. When on the Lord's errand the time spend and the effort given is never wasted. There is always a purpose. Plan as we will the course can change, because it's not our will, it's His will.

Day 3415

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 1:2, 9

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 1:2, 9
"And he gave me, Jacob, a commandment that I should write upon these plates a few of the things which I considered to be most precious; that I should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning the history of this people which are called the people of Nephi.
Now Nephi began to be old, and he saw that he must soon die; wherefore, he anointed a man to be a king and a ruler over his people now, according to the reigns of the kings."

Before Nephi dies he gives his brother Jacob charge of the plates. He is to write what is most precious and sacred, revelation that was great, or prophesying, but touch lightly on the history. It always stands out to me when Nephi anoints a "man" to be king and ruler after him. Why did he call him a man? If he was a relative, son of one of his brothers, Sam, Jacob, Joseph, or even Zoram's descendant wouldn't he say that? I makes me wonder what other people they may have come across at this point and mixed with. We are only told of the Mulekites later when their story combines with confirmation on the destruction of Jerusalem, lack of what a record will do to a people, and the story of the Jaredites. There is so much we don't know, and I can't wait for the day when we do.

Day 3405

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 29:8, 12-13

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Nephi 29:8, 12-13
"Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.
For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.
And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews."

Part of this is fulfilled today. We have the records of the Jews and the Nephites, the Bible and Book of Mormon. Now we wait for more records to come forth, including the lost tribes of Israel.

About 30 years ago I thought I had heard about them being found. I was serving at a family history center and the director came in looking out of sorts. He had just come back from a meeting in Salt Lake. He told me he had learned of a large collections of records that the Russian government had asked the church to microfilm. They were found in caves along the Caspian Sea. They were so fragile that when the Russians attempted to open these records they would disintegrate. They contacted The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of their expertise in preserving and microfilming records. The arrangement was for the church to retain a copy of these records. There were so many records they were taken out by the truck loads. The church was in the process at that time of filming these records, and what they were finding was a history and genealogy of the lost tribes. This man was really in shock as he related to me what he had learned. I felt it to my core these were the records. I have waited nearly 30 years to learn any further news of these records but haven't.
 
Regardless if the records I heard about 30 years ago are truly them or not, I know somewhere the records of the lost tribes exist. Someday they will be restored to us, before the Lord's second coming. Someday I will read them and hold them and love them as I do all the scriptures I have today. I will continue to treasure and ponder and pray over the ones I have today. So when that day comes, that more records are given, I will thrill in the harmony and consistency of the Lord, as he speaks to his people. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Day 3400

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 13:38-40

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 13:38-40
"And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the book of the Lamb of God, which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth from the Gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren.
And after it had come forth unto them I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.
And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved."

Prophesy fulfilled. First the gentiles brought the records of Jews in the form of the Bible to us. Granted many plain and precious things had been removed. God still prepared a way. The record Nephi began, which is the stick of Joseph and came to be known as the Book of Mormon, restored many plain and precious things that had been lost. The Bible and Book of Mormon go hand in hand in establishing the doctrine of Christ. I have come to know my Savior more by reading both. Other records have come, the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. The restoration is ongoing and I look forward like President Holland to more sacred records being revealed.

"And I look forward with great anticipation to other records and other parts. Hundred - may 100 times as much that is contained in - that is contained in the book we have. If that much is available out there, the least we can do, the least we can do is read the book that we've got, because there's a lot of other good stuff coming."
(Jeffrey R. Holland, "I cannot Say the Smallest Part Which I Feel" Facebook, 28 Apr 2024)

Day 3362

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 4:1-2

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 4:1-2
"And it came to pass that I spake unto my brethren, saying: Let us go up again unto Jerusalem, and let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; for behold he is mightier than all the earth, then why not mightier than Laban and his fifty, yea, or even than his tens of thousands?
Therefore let us go up; let us be strong like unto Moses; for he truly spake unto the waters of the Red Sea and they divided hither and thither, and our fathers came through, out of captivity, on dry ground, and the armies of Pharaoh did follow and were drowned in the waters of the Red Sea."

I pondered on how powerful the scriptures stories are in my life. Now I can draw upon their examples of faith for the challenges I face in our life. Nephi spoke of Moses's faith, and now I speak of Nephi's faith. These life changing spiritual events are meant to be recorded, even if only our posterity reads them.

Day 3353

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 69:3, 8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 69:3, 8

"And also that he shall continue in writing and making a history of all the important things which he shall observe and know concerning my church;

Preaching and expounding, writing, copying, selecting, and obtaining all things which shall be for the good of the church, and for the rising generations that shall grow up on the land of Zion, to possess it from generation to generation, forever and ever. Amen."

This made me appreciate the hard work the early saints did in recording our history. They did it not only by command, but for future generations and that would include me. I would not even have the Doctrine and Covenants as a set of scriptures if they had not recorded what was taking place, and the revelations received. The Lord knew we needed this record. It made me think about the things that I write and how important they will be one day for my children.

Day 2072

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 4:11-12

Today's Favorite Verse: Mormon 4:11-12, 23
"And it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for man to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened, so that they delighted in the shedding of blood continually.
And there never had been so great wickedness among the children of Lehi, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lord, as was among this people.
And now I, Mormon, seeing that the Lamanites were about to overthrow the land, therefore I did go to the hill Shim, and did take up all the records which Ammaron had hid up unto the Lord."

The end is coming for the once great Nephite civilization. They were once the people of God, but the spirit no longer dwelled with them. There were a few faithful and Mormon is one of them. As I'm reading what he wrote, and he couldn't write it all, I wonder what would I do when faced with this? Then I see in the last verse Mormon's reaction. He cared for the duty the Lord had entrusted in him. It was obedience. When chaos and turmoil is all around, the peace and ability to function comes when we remain loyal and faithful to the commands of the Lord. Through the guidance of the spirit we will be lead to take what protects and brings peace. The death of the body is not the fear, the fear is the death of the soul, and the spirit within.

Day 1972

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 15:17-18, 20

Today's Favorite Verse: 3 Nephi 15:17-18, 20
"That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them.
And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of them."

Jesus is telling the Nephites the the Jews is Jerusalem did not know who he spoke of as his other sheep. This was due to their stiffneckedness and unbelief. That the Nephites are who he spoke of, and not only that there are other tribes that have been separated. As I was pondering on this I thought of how today it would also be because of stiffneckedness and unbelief that people do not accept this. It will be the same in the future as the records of those other tribes come forth. How I cannot wait for those days.

Mikhail Nesterov "Holy Rus." (1905)

Day 1952

Today's Favorite Verse: Words of Mormon 1:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Words of Mormon 1:3-4
"And now, I speak somewhat concerning that which I have written; for after I had made an abridgment from  the plates of Nephi, down to the reign of this king Benjamin, of whom Amaleki spake, I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.
And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass - "

What struck me this time reading Mormon's account is that he had just finished abridging the plates of Nephi down to the time of king Benjamin. It is then that he finds these other plates of the same account. What he reads is pleasing to him. I can just imagine him wondering if he needed to start all over the work he had just done. It goes on to tell that he adds these plates to his record because the spirit whispers it is for wise purpose to do so. I know the purpose now. It's because the first 116 pages translated by Joseph Smith contained the records Moroni originally abridged, and those where later lost. In its place the Lord had prepared the small plates of Nephi to tell an even greater spiritual account.

I can just imagine Mormon wondering if he failed when he first abridged the plates of Nephi and then found the more pleasing smaller plates of Nephi. It gives me an appreciation in doing something and it not turning out quite right. It is never a failure or waste. There is purpose in the entire experience if I let it. 

Day 1829

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 4:2-4

Today's Favorite Verse: Jacob 4:2-4
"But whatsoever things we write upon anything save it be upon plates must perish and vanish away; but we can write a few words upon plates, which will give our children, and also our beloved brethren, a small degree of knowledge concerning us, or concerning their fathers -
Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents.
For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us."

It has been impressed upon me lately that I need to keep a better journal. I have been faithfully keeping a Daily To-Do list that I track what I've done throughout the day. Often I note events with longer comments. But, now I really need to record more of my thoughts, impressions and what motivated me to do certain things. Lately it seemed like one day feels like a week's worth of events have been happening around me. I could kick myself for not recording my feelings as we have been passing through pandemic events. This verse just reinforces my need to keep a better journal, not just for me but for my children. Though I have not recorded things as I wish I still need to go back and do this. 

Day 1822

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 13:42

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Nephi 13:42
"And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last."

This is what Jesus was referring to in Luke 13:30
"And behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last."

The gospel was first given to the Jews and after the Savior's resurrection taken to the Gentiles. After a period of apostasy where plain and precious truth of the gospel were removed from the record of the Jews (bible) a restoration would come through the Gentiles. God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ did appear to the young boy, Joseph Smith in the sacred grove. The question deep in his heart was which church to join, and he was told to join none of them. "For they were all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt; that: "they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for the doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof." (Joseph Smith History 1:19)

Joseph's humble prayer was answered and at a later time the gospel was restored, first through the records of the the tribe of Joseph, and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. With the Bible the Book of Mormon becomes another testament of Jesus Christ. With the stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph combined (Ezekiel 37:16-17) the plain and precious truths of the gospel are again restored. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized April 6, 1830 with only a handful of 6 members. Nearly 200 years later the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has been taken throughout the earth, with a membership of over 16 million. It is as Daniel saw a stone cut without hands that would fill the whole earth. This is the time of the Gentiles. One day it will become the time of the Jews, and those that were first will become the last, to come to a knowledge that Jesus is the Christ. Some day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ and that salvation can only come through Him.

Day 1776

Today's Favorite Verse: John 10:16

Today's Favorite Verse: John 10:16
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

I love how hidden in plain sight the Savior speaks of his other sheep, the tribes that have been separated from them, and they know them not. As Jehovah in the Old Testament he had promised to not only scatter Israel but to once again gather them. He was fulfilling his promises. After Christ resurrection he appears to one of the folds in the Americas and they hear his voice and testify of him. When he departs from them he refers to other sheep that he will now visit.

"And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd
And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching.
And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice - that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost.
But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me."
(3 Nephi 15:21-24)

"And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister.
For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.
But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that they may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them."
(3 Nephi 16:1-3)

I cannot wait to read the records of these other lost sheep that Christ visited. This all reminds me of the painting by a Russian religious art painter, Mikhail Nesterov (1862-1942) inspired by very old Russian folk traditions of a visit by Jesus to the ancient Russians, the Kievan Rus, after his resurrection. It hangs in the Russian Gallery in Leningrad. Their folk traditions fits with the bible saying the lost ten tribes of Israel would be scattered and gathered from the north countries. (Deuteronomy 30:1-5) (Jeremiah 16:13-15) (Jeremiah 31:8-9). This all fits with what I know in my heart, their records are coming.

“Saintly Rus” (Святая Русь), by Mikhail Nesterov

Day 1580